Connecticut western news., 1887-10-12
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12, 1887.
46M ANNUAL CATTLE SHOW

AND FAIR OF THE HOUSATONlC AGICUL-
 TURAL SOCIETY AT CT HARRINGTON.
 A very pleasing feature of the exhibi- ton the second day was the display on the track of the Orloff horses from the farm of Robbins Battell, of Norfolk, Ct. As they drove around the race course, attached to light wagons, every eye in the vicinity was upon them and remarks were frequent that not for years had there been so rare display at one time of so much valuable horse flesh. The procession was headed by the veteran horseman, William Mccormick, driving the noble Russian stallion, Sobol, followed by Alexis, Vladimir, Sobolette and Vera. The entire society should feel grateful to MT Battell for allowing these fine horses to attend the fair on day anything but pleasant. The exhibition of horses of all classes was fully up to the standard of former years. There were II entries of single family horses, and of these l.. B. Brusie of Great Burlington, carried off the first premium {; 5 blooded and 10 grade mares and colts, 9 teams of farm horses, carriage teams, stallions, blooded sucking colts, 13 yearling colts, stud colts and number of entries in other classes. John l.. Russell, of Pittsfeld, took the first premium for carriage teams, and 1t Is rare one sees so fine 8 team on the race course. The entries for the four-year-old race were by l. H Brusie, "Ella Wilkes" Charles Brusie, Great Harrington, Flossy Wilkes and F s Gross, ssBelle of Lee," Belle taking two heats in 2.55 and 2.57. In the g. 33 class there were but two star ters out of five original entries, and after an exciting contest the race was won in three straight heats by w H Gross, of Lee. "LadY Sealskin," best time 245, with Edwin Hurlburt, of Ct Burlington, Lady Everett" second. At p. m. came the trial of speed in the 250 class Three entered for the race, which was finally won by W H four heats, with John Stallman, of Lee, "Jim Moore" second, and w s Barnum of Ct Burlington, "Domino," third. Average time ?. 434.
 The second day was also devoted to the exhibition of articles in the hall, of which the display, especially in those articles which please the ladies, was rather larger than usual. In the art department there were several fine paintings in oil and water colors. Of oil paintings Miss Marietta Francis, of Pitts6eld, took the first premium, while 8 majority of the other pictures were also from Pittsfeld. In water colors Miss Abba Russell, of Ct Harrington, took the first premium. Mrs R D Andrews, of Sheffield, exhibited fine potted plants and Mrs H T Candee, of Sheffield, took premium for floral design.
 In the lower hall the exhibition of seeds and vegetables was about the same as usual, not over half as large as it should be for the tables in the lower hall in great agricultural community, representing, as the Housatonic society does, nearly 17OO members, should all be covered with garden and field vege- tables and seeds, and more money should be devoted to this purpose for the encouragement of farmers and gardners, instead of having $500 or S1,OOO paid out for horse races, which may draw crowd of sports, but does not aid the cause of agriculture a parti cle But without further comments on this condition of affairs, 1t may be stated that there were four good dis plays of garden vegetables of all kinds Fred Dellert, of Great Burlington, hay ing no varieties. Though bad year for potatoes, there were IS bushels of beautiful tubers, the Early Maine grown by E T Clark, of Sheffield, took first premium. George Kellogg, of the same town, exhibited squashes weigh ing 1SO pounds, and there were many strings of fine seed corn, with bags of buckwheat, rye, oats and barley. As usual, Sheffield carried off the honors for fne displays of apples, peaches, pears, quinces and plums, the chief exhibitors being z Candee x Son, R Little, Geo Kirby, P H Bradford and J l. Warner, all receiving premiums.
 Friday was an unpleasant day for the close of the great fair, and with sad heart and visions of depleted treasury the managers opened the gates at early morn with drizzling rain, which threat ened to continue all day. But about the middle of the forenoon the rain ceased and the crowds began to arrive, so that the attendance was far better than expected, and the treasury will only be few hundred dollars behind the figures of last year. At about 10 g.. m. the literary exercises began in the hall, with music by the Lee band. Henry W Smith, of Afford, president of the society. occupied the chair, while around him on the platform were several nabobs of the society, as ex- presidents, ex-treasurers, clergy and lawyers, merchants and farmers. A prayer was made by Rev F R Marvin, of the Congregational church, after which the band again displayed their musical talent, and then President Smith arose and in brief, but eloquent address, introduced the orator of the occasion, the Hon James w Stockwell, of Sutton, member of the Massachu- setts State Board of Agriculture. MT Stockwell took for his text 1.-The Home and its influences" and for over half an hour held the great audience spell bound, as the wards of that home, es- pecially the home of the farmer, should be at all times. Frequent applause greeted the many good points made by the speaker, and at his conclusion the old hall rang with plaudits. B w B Canning. Esq, of Stockbridge. followed